Sambu - The Darien

When I was in the Kuna Yala (San Blas) I met two Italian ladies who told me about their trip to a little visited corner of Panama, called The Darien.

The area is very remote and, because of this, you need to book a flight and hope it isn't full. The flight is cheap because it's actually the postal delivery service and hospital flight. As demonstrated by the gentleman on my return voyage who appeared to be dead. The plane holds a maximum of eight people OR four people and luggage. Its about the size of an Alfa Romeo, with wings.

I considered what the Italian ladies had told me and decided to book myself a flight. The internet wouldn't let me, so I decided to go to Albrook Airport, where you can book in person. Lady at the desk refused to sell me a ticket to the destination of choice. Basically it was a case of 'Computer says no'.

So I bought a ticket to a nearby place (on her advice) figuring I may be able to get a taxi or bus the (Google Earth stated) 18 minute drive. Sadly Google Earth neglected to take into account the following considerations.
1. Miles of jungle between the two places
2. A rather large mountain, covered in miles of jungle between the two places
3. There is no road

Anyway, on the day in question I arrived at the airport and persuaded them to change my ticket. The plane did fly to Sambu - hoorah! (Well, they diverted it) and I set off. In honesty, I was really close to not going due to the uncertainty, but I knew there was a hotel or two there and the Italian ladies had told me a really helpful couple, so what the heck...?

This small plane..

..could be filled during a trip to Morrison's..

This is the runway. Yes, its grass.

40 winks. Yes, that is the pilot.

I arrived in Sambu about 70 minutes and three stops later. Basically this plane is like the bus, it stops everywhere. Man with a wheelbarrow rolls up, there is an exchange of post, man rolls off..

My room. $12 / 8 quid a night

A place to chill..

The centre of town (honestly),
you can see the airstrip in the background.

This is the town next door.

People were friendly enough, although a little reserved and obviously not completely used to tourists.

Rio not grande

The phone for the whole town. When I called the hotel
I was confused as to why I kept getting a different person answering.

This person recently moved to another town.
You just basically take your house bits
and build the skeletal structure.

Posh house

As I went for a wander I saw a few little stores, which sell rudimentary stuff..plantain, rice, pasta, canned milk, cakes, bread and (the best sellers)  fizzy drinks and sweets.

This woman was keen to show me her range of fish.

Kids playing footy. They asked me if I knew Wayne Rooney.

I had a chat with the nice man, Ricardo and booked to do a trip to a river side jungle village the next day.